“Deny Yourself, Carry Your Cross Daily And Follow Christ!”
How do I deny myself, carry my cross daily and follow Christ? Is it not to socialise and to abstain from food and drink? No! Jesus socialised, ate and drank until he was called a drunkard.
Is it to spend all night in prayer? No, He often withdrew to pray in lonely places but he had time for other activities.
Is it to preach and teach only? No. He went from place to place thereby allowing that people should remain in their jobs.
What does it mean that one “must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me?”
We already know through what happened to Jesus that you carried your cross to the place of your execution. Surely Jesus is not expecting us to make crosses and carry them “daily” until we arrive the place of our executions. We must understand it figuratively; even as it was understood when he said it.
Jesus requires self-denial, complete dedication and willing obedience on a daily basis. This means in our daily activities and life interest it should not be about us, but about the general good or the benefit of others and not always about self.
It means to dedicate one’s self daily to the cause of truth, justice, righteousness, love and all other virtues. It means to be willingly obedient to the teachings of Jesus and being ready to transmit the same to others.
My friend, to deny self and take up your cross daily and follow Christ Jesus is the request for a complete change of mindset. It is to change from a mindset of self-centredness to embracing and enhancing a brotherhood of humanity where you recognise that we are all created in the image of God. And that love stands above everything else while justice, mercy and compassion stands above law!
There is no need to build the world around yourself only to lose it all in the end. Do not be ashamed to identify with Jesus today and he won’t be ashamed of you when time comes (Lk.9:23-26). If you live and ensure that others live without any biases and discriminations you will be carrying your cross daily to follow Jesus Christ.
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit help me to deny myself and follow Christ daily in thought, word and deed. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
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May 15, 2025
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